Aqueous VEGF and IL-6 Levels in Diabetic Retinopathy

Elevated inflammatory cytokines in aqueous cytokine profile in HIV-1 infected patients with cataracts in Uganda

“…The upregulated inflammatory pathways during chronic HIV diseases [ 18 , 19 ] likely extend to the intraocular space and accelerate the life-long risk of cataracts among HIV-infected individuals. Cytokines in the aqueous humor have been widely demonstrated to play a major role in the ocular inflammatory response and resultant pathological changes in the eye including the development of cataract [ 20 , 21 ]. We therefore recommend longitudinal studies to understand biomarkers of subclinical and clinical intra-ocular inflammation among individuals with chronic HIV diseases to inform innovative strategies to prevent or delay the loss of vision due to accelerated occurrence of blinding cataracts among adults living with HIV.…”

“…IL-6 is usually undetectable in the vitreous of normal eyes but has been detected in aqueous in normal eyes with cataracts [ 20 ]. Its levels have been found to be significantly increased in patients following cataract surgery and in patients with ischaemic retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy [ 20 , 21 ].…”

“…IL-6 is usually undetectable in the vitreous of normal eyes but has been detected in aqueous in normal eyes with cataracts [ 20 ]. Its levels have been found to be significantly increased in patients following cataract surgery and in patients with ischaemic retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy [ 20 , 21 ]. Demonstration of reduction of IL-6 levels in aqueous has been shown to be an important marker for reduction of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with diabetic retinopathy on bevacizumab (anti VGEF treatment) [ 21 , 22 ].…”

“…Demonstration of reduction of IL-6 levels in aqueous has been shown to be an important marker for reduction of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with diabetic retinopathy on bevacizumab (anti VGEF treatment) [ 21 , 22 ]. IL-6 levels are also raised in patients with idiopathic or infectious uveitis and these levels are much higher than levels in peripheral blood suggesting that its production is local within the eye [ 13 , 20 , 22 ].…”

“…It regulates differentiation and proliferation of multiple immune cells such as T and B cells, antigen presenting cells and granulocytes, which are found in abundance in inflamed or activated uveal and retinal tissue [ 23 , 24 ]. It controls the inflammatory process by suppressing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-a, IFN-g [ 20 , 24 ]. TNF-a levels were found significantly higher in HIV-positive individuals with CD4 + T cell counts greater than 200 cells/mm3 (Table 5 ).…”